Abstract P6-05-39: Black Breast Cancer Survivors’ Sociocultural Perspectives of Beauty, and Use of Personal Care Products Containing Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Authors: Jared Bailey, Marissa Ericson, Tiah Tomlin-Harris, Dorothy Galloway, Lenna Dawkins-Moultin, Adana Llanos, Lindsey Treviño, Susanne B. Montgomery, Dede Teteh
Journal: Cancer Research (2023)

Abstract The passage of H.R. 2116 (CROWN Act) prohibits hair texture and style discrimination based on race or national origin, thus, theoretically reducing structural barriers to economic mobility. Regardless, hair is synonymous with Black women’s identities. Possibly due to society’s afro-political ideologies of beauty, Black women tend to use more hair products compared to other racial groups. These standards include social structures that affect self-mediated worth, as well as structural and interpersonal racism based on appearance and societal status. The use of personal care products containing endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been shown to increase Black women’s breast cancer risk. The Black identity, hair product use, and breast cancer scale (BHBS) was developed to measure the sociocultural constructs associated with Black women’s hair product use and perceived breast cancer risk. The purpose of this study was to validate the BHBS and examine hair product use among Black breast cancer survivors. Methods: Participants (N=162) completed a 27-item survey between 2020 and 2022 via a community-based participatory research project—Bench to Community Initiative. Principal component analyses (PCA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to establish the underlying component structures and determine the model fit. Chi-square tests were used to determine associations between BHBS subscales and product use, with a p-value &amp;lt; 0.05 defined as statistically significant. Products evaluated included washout and leave-in conditioners, salon, and do-it-yourself (DIY) relaxers, and salon and DIY hair dyes. Response options were used daily through several times a year (daily–yearly), used but stopped, and never used. Results: Participants were African American (90%) and African or Caribbean (10%) Black breast cancer survivors. The mean age (standard deviation [SD]) and stage of diagnosis (SD) was 37.4 ± 8.8 and 1.9 ± 0.97, respectively. PCA yielded two components that accounted for 63% of the total variance in the model. Five items measuring sociocultural perspectives about hair and identity (subscale 1 [S1]) accounted for 28% of the total variance (α = 0.73, 95% CI 0.71, 0.82). Six items assessing perceived breast cancer risk related to hair product use (subscale 2 [S2]) accounted for 35% of the total variance (α=0.86, 95% CI= 0.81, 0.94). CFA confirmed the two-component structure (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.034; Comparative Fit Index = 0.93; Tucker Lewis Index = 0.89). On average, participants used hair products daily–yearly, including conditioners (64%), relaxers (32%), and hair dyes (33%). The use of salon relaxers was significantly associated with BHBS subscales (S1and S2). Similarly, salon hair dye was significantly associated with S2 of the BHBS. Discussion: The BHBS is a valid measure of sociocultural perspectives associated with hair product use and perceived risk for Black breast cancer survivors. Given that hair remains an important cultural expression within the afro-political confines of identity, the health impacts of hair products containing EDCs used to craft these identities should be considered in intervention planning. Citation Format: Jared Bailey, Marissa Ericson, Tiah Tomlin-Harris, Dorothy Galloway, Lenna Dawkins-Moultin, Adana Llanos, Lindsey Treviño, Susanne B. Montgomery, Dede Teteh. Black Breast Cancer Survivors’ Sociocultural Perspectives of Beauty, and Use of Personal Care Products Containing Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-05-39.